DUKE ABSN Fall 2012

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Hi all!

Just wanted to start a thread for the people applying to duke for the fall of 2012. I am super excited/nervous to be filling out the application! I know that there are others out there feeling the same way. If anybody is willing to comment I would love to hear from some people who have applied, accepted or denied, or applying right now, or even going to apply in the future. :)

Specializes in Medical Intensive Care.

Laflaca,

Funny..they "lost" my FAFSA also. Turns out they had it all along but she said something about it not downloading for some reason. I was told to provide her with the DRN (a number they attach to each FAFSA application) and once I gave that to her, she was able to pull it right up..

And I agree with you about the money. I would be hesitant anyway about taking on a large amount of loans. But I'm especially leary being that I'll already have debt in May when I graduate. I've already calculated that if I attend Duke with the financial package I'm being offered now, once I graduate I'll be making anywhere from $1000-$1400 a month in loan payments (about $1100 of which would be a direct result of Duke education). There's no way I'm putting myself in that type of financial situation if I have the option of avoiding it, which I do.

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Totally with you, kce...I'm very debt-averse. I took out a very small amount of loans (like $10k) for my graduate degree many years ago, and even that made me anxious. Like moggsy, I've been working for years and am now in the position to fund a good chunk of the program from savings; otherwise I'd probably choose another school. I would hate the threat of someday being compelled to stay in a job I hated, or to work multiple jobs, just to pay off debts.

I'm excited about going to Duke, but there are other great schools out there....and a lot of your real training comes at work afterward, anyway. We all have to use our own criteria to balance the pros and cons, I guess.

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i think this is a very productive discussion, I also think that it is definitely making me lean towards University of Florida if I get in, my husband and I were calculating it and (provided we can become in-state in the fall) we could come out of florida for both less than we might have to take out for a year of both of us at duke, but the thing about that is that as a lawyer coming out of duke he would make more than coming out of UF, but its still a lot of pressure to finish with that much debt especially because he's likely going to get an LLM as well.

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poodle, UF sounds like it would be a great deal for you both... isn't transferring law schools a huge ordeal? I know a friend of a friend who did that, and I think he had to forfeit his 1L grades (ugh). I hope you find out from Florida soon for peace of mind - great to have multiple options.

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I agree that the possibility for large debt is a big deterrent. However, the promise of a job and tuition reimbursement through madin might be too good to pass up.

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Finally got my financial aid after a few confusing emails....no happy surprises, I'm sorry to report, just a giant pile of loan offers. She tells me that the nursing school is not giving out ANY strictly merit-based scholarships this year; they've decided to focus all the funds they have on students with the greatest financial need as determined by FAFSA.

Can't argue with that overall, I guess. It's just not good for someone like me who's worked for a long time and also has a spouse with income - FAFSA counts everything, even your retirement savings account through work.

I did ask about Robert Wood Johnson funds. She says that a panel of admissions people, not the financial aid office, will decide on those awards in June IF they get the money. She wasn't sure whether they consider minority students other than MADIN participants.

Anyway, it doesn't change my decision...my other school offered me a scholarship of $7500, but most of that would be eaten up by the higher cost of living & travel from that area.

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I agree that the possibility for large debt is a big deterrent. However, the promise of a job and tuition reimbursement through madin might be too good to pass up.

+1. I think speaking to Duke alum on this board would provide you with another perspective on how beneficial a Duke education. They not only comment on how fascinating the program, but also heavily spoke on how the Duke name and its networking opportunities helped them in other pursuits at graduate and post-graduate level. And let's not forget, as a MADIN scholar with a Duke Health offer, you can get up to 90% of your tuition covered should you decide to pursue your MSN and/or PhD - which is the goal of being a MADIN scholar (to get their scholars to pursue higher degrees).

There aren't many programs like MADIN out there, in fact, based on my research I haven't been able to find similar. If I was privileged enough to be in your shoes, there would be no questions asked. The benefits FAR outweigh the cost! :up:

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No worries - just thought if you are a few years off, the whole MADIN/funding situation might be all sorted out by the time you apply. If there is one thing I understand, it's creeping on these boards... :)

Moggs, I can only hope so, but that would heavily depend on who we have in office as President of the U.S. :)

And LOL @ creeping on these boards. :D

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but the thing about that is that as a lawyer coming out of duke he would make more than coming out of UF, but its still a lot of pressure to finish with that much debt especially because he's likely going to get an LLM as well.

Poodle,

I currently work in the legal sector and trust me when I say that there is no guarantee of job offers for law students, even those attending top law schools. I know NYU and Columbia law school grads that are still looking for jobs. The legal market is just not what it used to be and employers paying the big bucks are providing less offers each year. I can only advise that your hubby go to the law school that offers him the most financial aid (that aren't loans) while ensuring he does his best to graduate in the top 1-15% of his class. The debt to attend law school is just not worth it anymore - and neither is the life thereafter (working 15+ hour days to meet some arbitrary billable hours to help fatten the pockets of partners).

Good luck with your decisions. :)

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Anyway, it doesn't change my decision...my other school offered me a scholarship of $7500, but most of that would be eaten up by the higher cost of living & travel from that area.

So is it Duke over Yale, or?

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My original BA was actually funded through a program similar to MADIN, though not nursing-specific. Same idea where they introduce you to mentors, have you attend a special session before the regular program starts, organize group activities for the scholars, expose you to the opportunities in doctoral study, etc. Apart from the funding (they had an endowment or something, so they covered everyone's tuition and books), it was helpful to know people and have a built-in support system, especially since the student population there was two times the population of my entire hometown! There are definitely benefits to getting a little bit of help with networking.

@2b....still Duke :)

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FB group up to 20. A little piece of my soul dies every time someone joins... LOL. ;)

The group is now made visible and its up to 25, excluding M and another administrator....:scrying:

Keep in mind though, just because these folks joined the FB group it in no way reflects they've accepted/deposited for a seat. When did they say second rounders will know of an update of acceptance or being waitlisted?

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